"wealth, fortune, prosperity"
Origin: Old High German via Italian
Language: Italian/Germanic
Othello
Pronunciation: [ uhth-EHL-oh ]
Does Othello flow with your last name?
Shakespeare's boldest hero — a name of tragic grandeur
Italian
European
English Literary
Literary
Royal
Bold
Sophisticated
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Things to Know About This Name
- Shakespeare's Othello is a tragedy involving jealousy, manipulation, and murder; parents should be aware of the dramatic and dark narrative associations
The Story of Othello
Othello is the Italian form of Otto, from the Old High German 'Odo' or 'Uod,' meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune.' The name arrived in English consciousness primarily through Shakespeare's tragedy 'Othello, the Moor of Venice' (c. 1603), where the protagonist is a respected Moorish general in the Venetian army who is manipulated into destroying himself and those he loves. Shakespeare likely took the character from an Italian novella by Cinthio (1565). The Italian '-ello' diminutive suffix adds a musical quality to the base name Otto.
Othello has never been a common given name in English-speaking countries, largely due to its association with Shakespeare's tragic protagonist — parents have historically avoided naming children after doomed figures. However, literary and theatrical naming trends have made names like Hamlet and Ophelia fashionable, and Othello may benefit from this movement. The name carries prestige for families who value Shakespearean heritage.
Shakespeare's Othello is one of the most performed plays in the world and has generated centuries of scholarly debate about race, jealousy, love, and manipulation. The character Othello is notable as one of Shakespeare's most complex protagonists — a Black hero in 16th century literature, ahead of its time in some ways. The name carries enormous literary weight and has inspired operas (Verdi's Otello, 1887), films, and cultural analysis. Owning the name Othello is a bold literary statement.
Historical Record
Othello first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 413 babies have been named Othello in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Othello is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,869 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Verdi's opera 'Otello' (1887), based on Shakespeare's play, is considered one of the greatest operatic works ever written
- Othello (the board game, also called Reversi) was marketed in the 1970s with the tagline 'A minute to learn... a lifetime to master'
- Shakespeare's Othello is one of the earliest major works in English literature featuring a Black protagonist in a heroic role
Othello in Other Languages
Arabic
عثيلو
French
Othello
German
Otto
Italian
Otello
Spanish
Otelo
Popularity Over Time
#5,869
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Othello
O
Othello (the Moor of Venice) Fictional
Other
Tragic protagonist of Shakespeare's play 'Othello' (c. 1603), a Moorish general in the Venetian army
O
Otello (Verdi opera) Fictional
Other
Verdi's 1887 opera based on Shakespeare's Othello, considered one of the greatest operas ever composed
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Compare Othello with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,869
- Total SSA Count
- 16
- Cultural Origins
- Italian European English Literary
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Oto
Theo
Ell
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Italian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Italian heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Othello
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Othello is also used as a girl name, ranked #17229.
View Othello as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Italian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Othello
What does the name Othello mean?
"wealth, fortune, prosperity" (from Old High German via Italian). Othello is the Italian form of Otto, from the Old High German 'Odo' or 'Uod,' meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune.' The name arrived in English consciousness primarily through Shakespeare's tragedy 'Othello, the Moor of Venice' (c. 1603), where the protagonist is a respected Moorish general in the Venetian army who is manipulated into destroying himself and those he loves. Shakespeare likely took the character from an Italian novella by Cinthio (1565). The Italian '-ello' diminutive suffix adds a musical quality to the base name Otto.
What is the origin of the name Othello?
Othello has Old High German via Italian, Italian, European, and English Literary origins. In Old High German via Italian, it means "wealth, fortune, prosperity".
Is Othello a boy or girl name?
Othello is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5869. As a girl name, it is ranked #17229. Othello is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Othello?
Othello is pronounced uhth-EHL-oh.
How popular is the name Othello?
Othello is currently ranked #5869 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Othello?
Common nicknames for Othello include Oto, Theo, and Ell.
What are good middle names for Othello?
Popular middle name pairings include Othello James, Othello William, Othello Marcus, Othello Sebastian, Othello Emmanuel, and Othello Rowe.
What are good sibling names for Othello?
Names that pair well with Othello as siblings include Hamlet, Lysander, Cordelia, Portia, Rosalind, and Benedick.
How many syllables does Othello have?
Othello has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Othello a common or rare name?
Othello is an uncommon name, ranked #5869 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Othello
Othello is a boy name with Italian, European, and English Literary origins . The name means "wealth, fortune, prosperity" in Old High German via Italian .
Is Othello a boy or girl name? Othello is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,869 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,229. Othello is more commonly used as a boy name.
Othello is currently ranked #5,869 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Othello has 3 syllables and is pronounced uhth-EHL-oh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Othello include Oto, Theo, and Ell. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis